SENIOR WRITER SUZANNE FREEMAN Game wardens are conservation officers for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, often coming to the aid of other law enforcement, including sheriff’s deputies and police. They are first responders at major disasters, whether on land or water. Of the 500 officers who cover the 268,580 square-miles of Texas, three of […]

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Burnet Consolidated Independent School District voters head to the polls in the coming weeks to make a decision that could impact the educational experience of students for years to come. The BCISD Board of Trustees and school officials are asking voters to approve a $33.1 million bond during the November 5 election. Early voting is […]

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The Horseshoe Bay mayor’s seat and two City Council spots are on the ballot in the November 5 election. Early voting is weekdays from Monday, October 21, through Friday, November 1. The mayoral race features two current council members: Cynthia Clinesmith and Reagan Lambert. Mayor Steve Jordan is not running for re-election. Three candidates are […]

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Transportation is a major topic in Central Texas, especially as more people move to the area. Getting ahead of that growth is a large focus of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Regional Transit Study, 2019-22 Transportation Improvement Program, and 2040 Regional Transportation Plan. CAMPO staff are hosting an open house on those plans from […]

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The Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives will be in the Highland Lakes on October 14 to help celebrate a fellow member. House Speaker Dennis Bonnen is the special guest at a public reception for state Rep. Terry Wilson, who represents District 20, which includes Burnet County. Lorna and David Kithil are hosting the […]

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From Staff Reports Texas Parks and Wildlife Department commissioners are asking for public comment on proposed changes to the regulations on trot lines and other “passive” fishing gear. Changes include adding requirements and specification for floats and reducing the valid period for gear tags to reduce the negative impacts of abandoned gear in Texas public […]

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Seven days after the Pedernales Electric Cooperative Board of Directors began looking into conflict of interest disclosures for District 4 Director Jim Powers, he turned in his resignation. “The PEC Board of Directors addressed conflict of interest certifications and disclosures with Mr. Powers at its regular meeting on September 13. Mr. Powers submitted his resignation […]

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EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON The Burnet County Commissioners Court approved a slightly higher tax rate during the September 10 meeting. Commissioners unanimously adopted a tax rate for fiscal year 2020 of 39.99 cents per $100 valuation. This is just under a penny higher than the 2019 fiscal year rate of 39 cents. The newly approved rate […]

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It’s hard to understand the U.S.-Mexico border issue unless you’ve been there. In March, Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd got a firsthand look. Boyd will share his experiences as the guest speaker during the Burnet County Republican Women’s meeting Thursday, September 12. The event starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Reed Building in Burnet. During […]

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Hog hunting on private land gets a little more affordable thanks to a new Texas law that goes into effect September 1. Senate Bill 317, by state Sen. Byron Hughes of Mineola, removes the hunting license requirement for hunters taking aim at feral hogs on private property and with the property owner’s permission. Hunters on […]

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EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON At the request of residents, Burnet County commissioners are sending a letter to the Lower Colorado River Authority asking the agency to consider lowering Lake LBJ again this coming winter, if conditions allow for it. Burnet County Judge James Oakley pointed out that the county can only make the request; the decision […]

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Under the approved legislation, the law “does not require the retrofitting of any vessel that has not come equipped with an (emergency cut off switch),” according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials. A new boating law goes into effect in Texas on September 1 that requires all watercraft less than 26 feet […]

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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recognized District Attorney Wiley “Sonny” McAfee on August 22 for his efforts in prosecuting natural and cultural resource violations as well as environmental crimes. The commission named the 33rd and 424th district attorney the 2019 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prosecutor of the Year. McAfee serves Burnet, Llano, Blanco, […]

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STAFF WRITER SUZANNE FREEMAN Concrete pouring for the new boat ramp and dock began August 15 at Inks Lake State Park. Park Superintendent Corey Evans said the goal is to have both ramp and dock opened this fall. The original timeline scheduled the ramp to open in mid- to late summer. “We’ve been delayed a […]

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A leak in a Kingsland Municipal Utility District line has resulted in up to 50,000 gallons of wastewater flowing into Lake LBJ. Someone spotting bubbles around the waterline near the RR 1431 bridge on July 27 and contacted the Lower Colorado River Authority, which relayed the information to KMUD, according to Anita LaBier, the Kingsland […]

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For a nonprofit, $5,000 is a big boost for its programs. And thanks to Pedernales Electric Cooperative, it’s not a pipe dream. The cooperative is accepting applications for community grants of up to $5,000 through 5 p.m. October 1. Nonprofits must prove their tax-exempt status with the proper documentation and be located within PEC’s territory […]

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EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON U.S. Rep. Roger Williams shared what might be a different view than his Washington colleagues on both sides of the aisle when it comes to the most pressing issue facing the country. “My biggest concern for America is our debt,” Williams said during a stop at Numinous Coffee Roasters in Marble Falls […]

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FROM STAFF REPORTS More bad news for the Highland Lakes as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Lower Colorado River Authority confirmed that invasive zebra mussels have been found in Lake LBJ. The species was previously discovered in Lake Travis. “It is disheartening to see zebra mussels spreading higher up the chain of […]

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With a $6,050 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority, the city of Granite Shoals can add a customer portal to its smart meter system to help customers more easily monitor their real-time water use. The city matched the grant with a contribution of $6,050. Granite Shoals will add the new portal to its advanced […]

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Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Midland) announced July 31 that he will not seek re-election in 2020. Conaway is in his eighth term representing Texas’ 11th Congressional District, which includes Llano County, in the U.S. House of Representatives. He first took office in 2005 and will have served 15 years in Congress when his current term ends. […]

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS A vote to extend a Bertram-area bar’s hours was put on hold during the Burnet County Commissioners Court’s regular meeting July 23. It’s unclear how a vote held Tuesday would have gone, but commissioners took no action on the agenda item so they could address its wording. The item specified the […]

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS Another attempt by a developer to create a tiny home community in Kingsland was once again tabled by the Llano County Commissioners Court. Commissioners said plans for Boxwood Tiny Home Community presented during their regular meeting July 22 lacked information about water runoff and easements. The item is expected to return […]

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During its July meeting, the Pedernales Electric Cooperative Board of Directors elected officers. Those serving on the Board of Directors are elected by PEC members to govern the cooperative. Elected officers are members of the board and serve one-year terms. The board re-elected District 6 Director Paul Graf to serve as the body’s president and […]

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The Lower Colorado River Authority is turning to the biggest energy source in the solar system to augment its electricity generation portfolio. The LCRA announced July 11 it has signed a contract to add 141 megawatts of solar power to its lineup. Under the contract, the LCRA will purchase the renewable energy from a solar […]

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS In developing the upcoming 2019-20 budget, Llano County officials have had to take into account a number of obstacles. First, the county has spent more than $1.2 million in reserve funds since the October 2018 flood and is unsure when, and how much, will be recaptured from the Federal Emergency Management […]

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STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS With the recent re-opening of Kingsland Community Park, Llano County commissioners voted narrowly to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with the park’s trustee in order to access water for public purposes. For park access to get water from the lake, the Kingsland/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce — the park’s trustee — will receive […]

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